Tracklay (TM) is a high-density granite grey coloured foam underlay.
1.5mm (1/16th inch) thick for OO/HO gauge and 0.8mm thick for Z gauge.
OO/HO is 35mm wide, N is 19mm wide, and Z is 16mm wide.
It is coated on the top surface with a "high grab" adhesive, which remains permanently sticky, thus retaining the ballast indefinitely. The closed cell foam is plastic and therefore very flexible allowing its use on flexible track or pre-bent curves. Unlike normal "foam" underlays it will not break down and crumble over time either.
In use Tracklay (TM) underlay is adhered to the underside of the track, which is then pinned to your layout board in the usual way. A bead of PVA adhesive is then run along each edge of the underlay before covering the whole with your chosen ballast and then tamping down well. once the PVA glue has set the surplus ballast can be brushed off and collected for re-use. I actually use a new vacuum bag and a modified vacuum nozzle ( to reduce the suction a little) and suck up the excess ready for the next time.
Because the ballast is only a granule thick it goes much further than with conventional methods of ballasting.
Points and crossings are no problem, just double up the Tracklay (TM) and shape with a craft knife after the point/crossing has been pinned down, then ballast. As the ballast is not coated with glue it will not change colour and remains realistic.
Tracklay(TM) is an inexpensive underlay and the ease and speed with which you can achieve a superb result must be seen to be believed. As a bonus your trains will run quieter and smoother.
The pictures show a small length of the foam with track in place and ballast added. (note, track and ballast chips are not included)
We can now supply ballast chips to suit, please see the main Tracklay menu.
